Method and apparatus for processing network frames in a network processor by embedding network control information such as routing and filtering information in each received frame

摘要

A method and apparatus for processing network frames by embedding control information achieves an efficient frame processing system within a network processor (NP). The layer type of the frame can be quickly determined by the layer processing components of picocode running on the NP by examining control information that is written by ingress processing layers to produce a modified frame format. The frames are routed to appropriate layer processors and processing for certain layers may be bypassed if the picocode determines that no processing is required at that layer. The frame may also be discarded completely by any of the layer processors.